Meet Risa August | Award-winning Author, Speaker, Gestalt Practitioner, and Patient Advocate

We had the good fortune of connecting with Risa August and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Risa, what do you think makes you most happy? Why?
Following my heart brings me true happiness, even when others judge or question my choices. When I silence the external noise and free myself from others’ expectations, life feels more in flow, and I feel genuinely happy.
For me, following my heart means embracing what brings me joy—like ticking items off my bucket list, supporting others in their journeys of personal growth, and staying curious so I never stop learning.
Remaining humble, compassionate, and authentic is essential. Keeping both my mind and heart open to possibilities offers me the opportunity to practice patience and create more balance.
A big part of living from my heart is also trusting my intuition, even when it’s uncomfortable or feels scary. The more I release what’s beyond my control, the more happiness and freedom I experience in life.

What should our readers know about your business?
My business, Feather and Sage Coaching, is part of my larger brand, Risa Unleashed. My journey into coaching began after a life-altering diagnosis, which led me to see the many challenges we face in life not as roadblocks but as opportunities to shift our perspective and discover paths that align more closely with who we are.
This experience sparked my passion for storytelling and speaking. On stage, I find healing in sharing my story as others bear witness to it. For me, it’s a release—a letting go of experiences that once held me back—and those listening offer their support in that journey. What a gift.
I used my diagnosis as a platform to speak up about rare pituitary tumors and associated diseases, like Acromegaly, which I continue to battle. These “rare” tumors are often underdiagnosed, so my goal became advocacy to promote earlier diagnosis, giving others the chance for a more normal, longer life.
This mission also inspired me to write my award-winning memoir, The Road Unpaved: Border to Border with a Brain Tumor and a Bike, which has won six awards (and counting) and has inspired readers worldwide. After brain surgery and radiation, I embarked on an 1,845-mile bike ride from Canada to Mexico along the Pacific coast. Through humor and honesty, I share the highs and lows, twists and turns, and lessons learned during that trip and in my life. The feedback I hear the most is: “I couldn’t put your book down!”
Building my business is a continual process. I want to keep learning, growing, and allowing my work to evolve naturally. It takes time, effort, and persistence, but it fills me with purpose, creativity, and a drive to reach my goals.
Along the way, I’ve learned:
1. I don’t have to do things anyone else’s way—the more authentic I am, the more successful I become.
2. I don’t need to say “yes” to every opportunity. Keeping my mind and heart balanced helps me trust my gut and say yes only when it feels right.
3. I no longer focus on what I can’t do, but on what I can do. My mantra has become “CAN = Capable, Able, Now: What am I capable and able to do now in this moment?” This approach supports me not only in business but in all aspects of my life.
As long as I let go of limiting beliefs and stay open to all possibilities, I realize that I can’t get it wrong. How incredible is that?!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
When friends visit…this is tough!
We definitely take in a concert at Red Rocks, this is a must.
We also can’t pass up a hike in the foothills, such as Mount Galbraith Park or Mount Morrison
A drive along the Peak to Peak to Estes Park followed by a stop at the Colorado Cherry Company for some homemade pie, yum!
In the city…
Meow Wolf would be on the list for sure.
We would peruse many of the art markets that pop up around Denver, not to miss first Friday on Santa Fe.
A bike ride to Farmers markets – Cherry Creek Fresh Market
Breakfast is my favorite meal and there’s such a variety of cafes and diners, here are only a few of my faves:
Denver – Mimosas or Olive and Finch
Golden – Golden Diner, Windy Saddle, or Café 13
Morrison – The Cow An Eatery

For lunch or dinner:
Denver – The Denver Central Market or My neighborhood Felix LoHi
Lafayette – Teocalli Cocina

Also on my list…
I love art, anything creative piques my interest. Especially if it’s immersive like Bubble Planet.
Hamburger Mary’s for Drag Brunch or Bingo
I also love to laugh, and Comedy Works hosts so many incredible comedians.
Live music and/or a dance class at Mercury Café is a fun addition to my itinerary.
Afternoon tea and tour at the Molly Brown house and museum, just maybe.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’d love to give a huge shoutout to JD Faccinetti of Pituitary World News. When I struggled to find resources about my diagnosis and navigate the medical system, his wealth of knowledge and guidance became a huge asset. He took his (our) diagnosis and developed an incredible organization where those living with Pituitary tumors can go to find the information that is very much lacking in the medical field. His efforts are endless. https://pituitaryworldnews.org

Website: https://www.risaaugust.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/risaunleashed/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/risa-august-9b130524a

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/risa.august.unleashed/

Other: https://linktr.ee/risaaugust
https://substack.com/@risaunleashed

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